Improvement in tension device tor needle-thread in sewing-machines



M. c. HAWKINS. Terision Device for Nedle Thread in Sewing Machines. No.103,609. Patented May 31, 1870.

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MOSES GHAMPERO HAWKINS, OF EDINBOROUG-H, PENNSYLVANIA.

Letters Patent No. 103,609, dated May 31, 1870.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of thesame.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, Mosns-Gnnmnno HAWKINS, of Edinborongh, in the countyof Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and improvedNeedle-Thread Tension; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable othersskilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in needletln'ead tension devicesfor sewing-machines, and consists in an arrangement in the axis of ashort tube suitably constructed and arranged for attachment to theneedle-supporting arm of the machine transversely thereof; of anadjusting screw, carrying two tension plates or disks at one end of thetube, and having within the tube an adjusting nut and tension spring,

so arranged that by turning the screw, which has a milled head at theends supporting the tension plates,

the tension may be varied as required, the said nut being capable ofmoving along the screw in the tube, but incapable of turning with it.

The tube is also provided with a guide-arm, through which the threadpasses to the said tension plates.

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the tube;

Figure 2 is a rear end view; and

Figure 3 is a view of the adjusting screw, detached from the otherparts. 7

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the tube, mounted on a stand, B, adapted for attachment to thefixed arm of the machine, which supports the needle and prcsser devices,or it may 7 be attached to other parts, or the said tube may be attachedto astud, G, rising from the said arm or other part.

This tube is provided with a head, D, at the front end, and is open atthe other end. It is slotted from the latter end toward the stand, asshown at E, and an arm, F, having a threadguide, is mounted on the topof the front end, the said guide being suspended beyond the end, so asto coincide vertically with the supported at the end of the tube A, onthe adjusting screw H, arranged in the axis of the tube, and projectingthrough the head D at the front end, the said projecting end beingprovided with a collar, I, and a milled head, K. The other end, which issplit for a considerable distance, and the two parts set to spring awayfrom each other, is screwed into a nut, L, fitted to slide back andforth in the tube, and having a pin or spline, M, working in the slot E,to prevent it from turning with the screw.

N is a coiled spring arranged on the screw to bear against the head I)at one end and the nut L at the othenibr pressing the tension disks G upagainst the end of the tube, by'' drawing the collar I of the screwagainst the side of the outer one.

The object of causing the two parts of the serew where it is split-tospring awayf'rom each other, is to produce sufficient friction in thenut to prevent the screw from turning with the disks.

This arrangement provides a very simple and efiicient tension device,which may be manipulated for adjustment wholly by application to themilled head K, which may be reached in the most convenient manner by theright hand of the operator when sitting in the working position in frontof the machine, and when it is desired to relieve. the thread of thetension altogether, it may be done by pulling the screw outward,

so as to take the force of the spring entirely on" the disks.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1 1. The slotted tube A; tension screw H, disks G,movable nut L, andtension spring, when all constructed and arrangedsubstantially as specified.

2. In combination with the above, the guiding arm I, substantially asherein shown and described.

M. C. HAWKINS.

Witnesses: V

H. M. CURTIS, M. L. Hswnrss.

